Bed-bottom



E. B; HULL.

r A BED BOTTOM. No. 256,694. Patented App-18, 1882.

UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE.

ELIZABETH efiauLnor CLINTON, ILLINOIS.

BED-BOTTOM."

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 256,694, dated April18, 1882.

v Application filed February 14, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it-known that I, ELIZABETH B. HULL, acitizen of the United States, residing at Olinton, in the county of DeWitt and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in BedBottoms, of which the following is a specification,reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawings.

The object of this invention is to secure ina bed-bottom sufficientstrength and elasticity, combined with simplicity,durability,andcheapness.

The invention relates to that class of bedbottoms in which canvas, wire,or woven wire is stretched horizontally between rails to form thebed-bottom.

The invention consists, first, in supporting the side rails by means ofarms or levers having slots therein in the form of rockers connectedtogether in pairs by means of hinged bars in such a manner that thetension of the canvas or wire will be automatically regulated by theweight of the person reclining upon the bed. As thus constructedthebed-bottom is complete in itself, and may be readily placed upon andremoved from any bedstead, no special connection or fastening beingnecessary.

The invention consists, further, in providing the arms with wheels,whereby their movementi is facilitated and creaking prevented; also, in

providing the slats supporting the arms with,

grooves, whereby the arms will be retained in position; also, in otherfeatures hereinafter described and distinctly claimed.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of this improved bed-bottom. Fig. 2 is aside view thereof. Fig. 3 is a transverse section through one end. Fig.4 is a perspectiveview of one corner, showing a modification.

The same letters ofreference are used in all thefiguresin thedesignation of identical parts.

Ain the drawings represents the bed-bottom proper, consisting of canvas,wire, woven wire, or other equivalent material fastened to the rails BB. When canvas is used it may be fastened to the rails by means ofcleats a, nailed to the rails and clamping the canvas. These strips arepreferably sunk into grooves in the rails, in order to afford betterpurchase upon the cloth, and so that the rails'lmay present an evensurface. f

C are the arms or rockers for supporting the are arranged in pairs, onepair at or near each I endof the bed-bottom. Those of each pair pro jectinward from opposite points in the side rails toward each other, andincline downward at an angle of twenty degrees, (more or less,) l

resting at their inner ends or toes upon supporting transverse slats E.The toes of the rockers are provided with wheels b, which run in groovesc in the slats, facilitating the play of the rockers and preventing anycreaking sound.

Each pair of arms or rockers is connectedby a bar, D, which is hinged tosaid arms a sufficient distance below the rails to allow the canvas orwire bottom to yield without comingin contact therewith. This barconverts the rockers into levers whose fulcrums are the pins used forconnecting the said parts together. These levers, being broughtintoaction by the weight of the person reclining upon the bed, tend to holdapart the rails to which the canvas is attached. The weight of thesleeper would ordinarily tend to draw the rails B B toward each otherand cause the bed to sag; but through the leverage of the rockers, asbefore explained, this tendency is counteracted and the bed-bottom isrendered self-adjusting, adapting itself to the varying weights of thedifferent persons who may rest upon it.

The arms 0 are provided with several pinholes at different distancesapart, through any of which the adjustable pin for connecting the bar Dmay be inserted. The connection may thus be changed from one hole to theother, in order to vary the width of the bed-bottom or secure greater orless leverage for the arms.

The'ends of the bars D may project into slots formed in the main body ofthe arms; or brackets, as shown in Fig. 4, may be attached to one sideof the arms to form slots to receive said bars.

Between the rails B and the slats E, outside the arms, are placed spiralsprings or elastic or leather straps F, to hold the bed in place andprevent undue tilting thereof.

To avoid the splitting of the rails B by the strain of the armseye-headed bolts Gr are passed through the same at the points where thetenons of the arms are inserted in the bars. These bolts are passedthrough from the under sides of the bars and are provided with nuts onthe upper sides thereof. The eyes in the heads of the bolts serve as ameans of attachment for the springs or straps F.

As thus constructed the bed-bottom is complete in itself. It issupported upon the bedstead by the ends of the slats E resting on theledges in the side rails of the bedsteachas shown in dotted lines inFig. 2. It simply requires to be placed upon any ordinary bedstead, andis immediately ready for use.

What is claimed as the invention is- 1. The combination of the rails,the canvas or'other suitable flexible material, the inclined armsprojecting from the rails and supporting the same, the connectingcross-bar united to the arms by hinged joints, which form thefulcrunisupon which the said arms turn, and the supporting-slats, substantiallyas described.

2. The combination of the rails, the canvas or other suitable flexiblematerial, the inclined arms provided with wheels to facilitate theirmovement and prevent1ioise,tl1e pivoted bars connecting the arms, andthe supporting-slats,

substantially as described.

3. The combination of the rails, the canvas or other suitable flexiblematerial, the inclined arms provided with wheels, and thesupporting-slats provided with grooves, in which said wheels run,substantially as described.

4. The combination of the rails, the canvas or other suitable flexiblematerial, the inclined arms, the supporting-slats, the transverse bars,to which the arms are pivoted,and the springs or straps connecting theslats and rails to prevent undue rocking or tilting of the bed,substantially as described.

5. The combination of the rails, the canvas or other suitable flexiblematerial, the connect: ing cross-bar, and the inclined arms providedwith a series of holes adapted for the hinging .of the connectinghar atdifferent points, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

ELIZABETH B. HULL.

Witnesses:

W. B. BARNETT, T. B. WALDRON.

